Trump says he may pull Todd Blanche’s nomination to circumvent GOP holdouts : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-07-31 05:42:00 — www.npr.org
Trump Threatens to Delay Attorney General Nomination Over Senate Opposition to IRS Settlement
President Trump has stated he is willing to hold off on the nomination of Attorney General Todd Blanche until January, citing a potentially easier political calculation in the Senate after the departure of two Republican senators. The move comes as Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina demand written guarantees about a Justice Department settlement that ended Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns.
Trump’s Leverage Over Senate Confirmations
Trump has suggested he may temporarily withdraw Blanche’s nomination if Cornyn and Tillis do not relent in their demands. According to reporting, Trump indicated he could simply renominate Blanche once both senators, who are leaving office at the end of the year, are gone. Trump has publicly taken credit for their departures, highlighting his refusal to endorse either senator and noting his endorsement of Cornyn’s primary challenger.
IRS Settlement and Immunity Deal at Center of Dispute
The controversy centers on a settlement that included the creation of a nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, which Blanche claims is no longer active. However, a related immunity deal that shields Trump, his family, and his businesses from IRS audits of past tax returns remains in effect, according to Blanche. Cornyn and Tillis are seeking assurances that the anti-weaponization fund is indeed dead and clarification on the scope of the immunity deal before supporting Blanche’s nomination.
Trump’s Position: Withhold Guarantees, Delay Nomination
Trump’s posture is clear: he would rather delay the nomination than provide the requested guarantees about the immunity deal, which directly benefits him and his family. This approach underscores Trump’s willingness to use his influence over Senate confirmations to protect his personal interests, even at the risk of further political complications.
Conclusion
President Trump’s handling of the Blanche nomination highlights his ongoing efforts to leverage Senate dynamics for personal and political advantage. By threatening to delay the nomination and refusing to provide transparency about the IRS settlement, Trump continues to prioritize his own interests, raising questions about accountability and the integrity of the confirmation process.